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Sun Chemical Develops Alternatives to Solvent Flexo PrintingAbstract: Sun Chemical has announced a breakthrough in water-based ink technology for flexographic printing on polythene (PE) film. The company's new approach offers a viable and cost-effective alternative to solvent-based inks, and allows printers to comply with pending European legislation that will affect the industry while printing up to 600 meters per minute. From October 2007, the Solvent Emissions Directive states that every printing firm that uses more than 15 tons of solvents per year must either invest in incineration units or find alternatives for 75 percent of its solvent-based print colors. In addition, the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive legislates that printing firms using more than 200 tons of solvents per year must be in possession of a specific environmental certificate and must strictly apply procedures according to "best practice techniques." Sun Chemical's innovative breakthrough is the use of modified amine soluble resins, which crosslink after they transfer from the press to the substrate, making the inks fully water resistant when dry. Each of the inks - known as Barracuda, Piranha and Beluga - has been designed for specific applications. Erik Segers, corporate product manager liquid inks, Sun Chemical Europe, said, "Water-based inks are ideal for smaller printing businesses which do not have the capital to invest in the more costly incinerating equipment. Additionally, unlike the use of incinerators, water-based inks will not increase printers' carbon emissions, which could be taxed in the future to address concerns about global warming. Early trials suggest the total cost of print could be reduced up to 20 percent by switching from solvent-based to water-based ink. However, this could vary depending on a printer's individual circumstances."Source: Ink World MagazineURL:http://www.inkworldmagazine.com/news/2007/06/28/sun_chemical_develops_alternatives_to_solvent_flexo_printing